Hello Chelsea,

For over 100 years, Michigan State University Extension has delivered on our mission to help people improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs, and opportunities. But this type of work is never truly done.

With a presence in every Michigan county, Extension faculty and staff members provide tools to live and work better. From in-person meetings to information made available online, MSU Extension educators work every day to provide the most current information, when people need it, to ensure success – in the workplace, at home, and in the community.

Whether it’s helping grow Michigan’s agriculture economy, capturing opportunities that use our natural resources in a sustainable way, controlling healthcare costs by giving individuals the information they need to manage chronic illness, or preparing tomorrow’s leaders, MSU Extension is creating opportunities and building communities that make Michigan strong, prosperous and a great place to live. Everyone belongs here, from staff to program participants. That’s why MSU Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive organization that recognizes and celebrates every one of us.

As part of our commitment to improving the lives of Michiganders, we want to hear from our partners and community members in all 83 counties about our progress and what we can do to improve ourselves. Starting in November, MSU Extension is holding a series of public listening sessions across the state. Through these sessions, we hope to gather input to determine where the organization is, what we do well, and where there are opportunities for improvement. This input will be used to help shape MSU Extension’s priorities and service for years to come. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend – youth, parents, community and statewide partners, all MSU Extension-affiliated faculty and staff, and curious community members.

In the spirit of World Communications Week (November 1-7) we have shared our story and hope to hear from you about who we are and where we need to go in one of our public listening sessions. Please register with the event details included in this newsletter. 

Sincerely,

Jennifer Berkey

District 3 Director

Corporate Transparency Act: What You Need To Know

Beneficial Ownership Information must be reported for most businesses, including single-member LLCs, during calendar year 2024. Failure to report can lead to serious civil and criminal penalties. The CTA requires most businesses, including many types of farm businesses, to report information about their owners. What is a Beneficial Owner? Who has to file? Where and when to file? Are there exceptions?

Truly One-of-a-Kind: Rothwell Driven to Save Farming

Nikki Rothwell is the coordinator of Michigan State University’s Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center in the heart of Leelanau County. She’s been there in some capacity for almost two decades, working with countless farmers throughout the region.

Extension, Michigan Legislators host first 4-H Day at the Capitol

At the event, attendees had the opportunity to visit informational booths hosted by Michigan 4-H youth and staff. A brief program was also held, with event hosts Reps. Bierlein and Miller delivering comments to the audience. Also providing comments were Extension's Dr. Tyler, MSU Interim President Teresa Woodruff, Genesee County Clerk Register of Deeds Domonique Clemons, who is a Michigan 4-H alum, and Lenawee County 4-H’er Lia Kurowicki

Why you should attend the 2023 Integrated Crop and Pest Management Update for Agribusiness

The 25th annual Integrated Crop and Pest Management Update for Agribusiness will feature crop and pest management recommendations, on-farm research data, and pesticide certification credits. The audience will include agribusiness representatives, retail sales and service professionals, private crop consultants, farmers, and representatives of ag-related agencies.

Michigan Sea Grant Educators receive recognition for contributions to environmental and outdoor education

At the recent Michigan Alliance of Environmental and Outdoor Educators (MAEOE) annual conference, Michigan Sea Grant Extension educator Meaghan Gass received a Recognition Award for making significant contributions to the fields of environmental and outdoor education. Meaghan was recognized as a leader in the field of place-based and environmental education who is always looking for innovative ways to engage educators and students to excite them to learn more about the Great Lakes.

Also recognized was Michigan Sea Grant Extension educator Brandon Schroeder who received a President’s Award for his assistance and hard work in bringing the conference to Alpena, and for helping to host the conference there.

Congratulations to Brandon and Meaghan, both of them are representing MSU Extension and Michigan Sea Grant as great partners and collaborators! 

Preserving MI Harvest: The Gift of Preservation

November 16

Online

The season of giving is right around the corner! Join us for ideas on what you can preserve for gifts to give in the coming weeks. Ideas of gifting preservation equipment for safe home food preservation will also be shared. 

Farm Policy and Risk Management Series

October - February

Free, Online Sessions

Michigan farmers need to manage many risks. Production risk brought on by weather, price risk from volatile markets, and even input cost risk can be challenging to manage. Insurance programs created by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) were designed as a cost-effective means to aid farmers in managing or reducing impacts from these types of risks.  

The Farm Policy and Risk Management Series will be hosting a FREE series of educational webinars online on USDA insurance programs. Each webinar session will focus on a specific Michigan production area (fruit, dairy, field crops, etc.). These sessions will review the basics of insurance programs and present how their use can benefit farm producers.

Critical Conversations in Michigan Tourism: Short Term Rentals

November 19, 6:30-8:00 PM

Online

For many communities, solving the housing puzzle includes addressing short-term rentals (STRs). Still, STRs can fill a local or regional gap in tourist housing and offer an alternative type of lodging that is in demand to leisure and business travelers alike. This 90-minute webinar will begin by exploring trends and research related to STRs as well as where local communities can find data to examine their own local situation. This will be followed by an overview of policy approaches, regulatory tools, enforcement, and key STR court cases. The program will highlight several Michigan examples of community regulatory approaches to STRs.

Restricted Use Pesticide License Core Review and Optional Testing

December 21

8:00 AM-noon

Alpena Community College

$15, includes light refreshments and printed insect guide

Pesticide Applicators core material will be reviewed, with testing available in the afternoon (must register and pay seperately for the testing). 4 RUP credits for private or commercial core requested. Weed guides will be availble for purchase for no more than $25.

MSU Extension to offer 10-week Winter Gardening Class

Date: MSU Extension to offer 10-week Winter Gardening Class

Location: virtual, Thursdays, 6-8:30 PM

Cost: $350

Contact: rautio@msu.edu

MSU Extension’s Foundations of Gardening is designed for the gardening enthusiast who wants to learn how to create a beautiful, productive, and sustainable garden. It is also the first step to becoming an MSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer. Weekly units are comprised of readings, online activities, videos and a 2.5 hour live virtual lecture with MSU experts in the field.  

Students say: "This was a great, great course and I'm sad that it is over.”

The Grand Traverse region is home to more than 7,600 Spartans

The Grand Traverse Area Spartans are an independent support club for Michigan State University and the Michigan State University Alumni Office and is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization. Their mission is to support the interests and provide for the needs of Michigan State University, the Michigan State University Alumni Office, the Spartan Fund, other MSU organizations and MSU Students.

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.